By agreement with the Capital Region of Denmark, the system will also act as a remediation system, preventing polluted water running into the great groundwater reservoirs, from which the capital collects its drinking water.

Residents of nearby Lake St. Croix Beach and St. Mary's Point fear the project would cause more environmental problems than it solves. Among other concerns, they fear that Valley Creek -- a protected trout stream -- could be harmed and groundwater near drinking water wells could be contaminated.

Approximately $19 billion worth of electricity, equal to the output of 50 large power plants, is devoured annually by U.S. household electronics, appliances, and other equipment when consumers are not actively using them.

A new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency formula for calculating the amount of pollutants released by flares at refineries and chemical plants nationwide shows that those emissions are four times higher than previously thought.

"With our customers' environmental expertise, plus funding, PIG products, and leadership, we believe this program can make measurable improvements in communities around the country," said Doug LaPlante, New Pig's vice president, Strategy.

A global study underscores that rapidly deteriorating water quality – not just water quantity – is escalating a global water crisis. Innovative modeling of climate change, socio-economics and water quality trends indicates up to 1 in 3 people will be exposed to high risk of water pollution.

The state energy and environmental agency often splits civil enforcement actions -- part fine, part remediation project of a significant value. But for a financial crime in federal court, this, all agreed, was a novel concept.